Things I’m Thinking About Now

Posted on May 23, 2012 by
  • It’s been much harder getting back into the swing of things post-wedding.  Lots of changes at work, trying to be domesticated, and also running.  And this weather?  60 degrees one day, then 90 the next?  wtf
  • I ran my longest weekday AM run this morning – 5 miles.  Let’s see when my next one is.
  • I am running Soldier Field on Saturday as a somewhat last minute decision. Who else is?
  • I am focusing more on what I wear to work – branching out into a bit more fashion focus than I was before.  I even tried Stitch Fix after learning about it from Erin @ Loop Looks! Got a chambray blazer, and then of course I headed to Jcrew for more lovelies, and then to Zappos.
  • I am inspired by stories of adversity.  Between her First World Problems and epic marathon challenge, Gingerfoxx has been someone I’ve been watching. 
  • I am loving gel / shellac manicures.  It’s getting hard to stop. I love having polished fingers that don’t chip, and look good for more than 24 2 hours.  My nails are actually starting to get long.
  • Is it weird that I want to go to yoga teacher training but can barely make it to yoga class once a week (if that)? It is a secret dream (not anymore) of mine. 
  • While I am still running, my mind has been elsewhere as I’m thinking heavily about career items.  I’m not actually sure what I want. Which is the problem.

 

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April Review & May Plans

Posted on May 8, 2012 by

So I’m getting back in the groove of work (first day back was yesterday) and regular ol’ married life.  Here’s what I’d set as intentions for April:

  • Stay not too stressed!  Done & Done!  That’s what 2.5 weeks off of work will do ya! I’m filling out applications for Trophy Wife now. 
  • Go to yoga at least once.  I went 3 times! YAY! 
  • Read the 2nd Hunger Games (bonus: see the movie) 2nd & 3rd books done, and movie was seen!  I can’t believe next movie doesn’t come out until 2013!!
  • Act gracefully and appreciate all moments – especially during the wedding! I think I did well at this! 
  • Continue twice weekly strength work until the wedding. Mostly done.  Gotta get back on the horse now.
  • Cheer Mike on at his national championship event at the end of the month.  Yea Mike!

And for May’s Goals & Intentions:

  • Run 20 miles/week for 4 weeks
  • Get on the bike for an hour minimum each week
  • One swim workout and one yoga class (minimums)
  • Take time to appreciate beauty & friendships each day
  • Keep cooking! One new dish every week. Bonus points if Mike eats it the same day it was made!
Posted in Goal Setting | 1 Comment

Back!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

I’ve been away from blogging for a little while – did you miss me? I’ve been busy – between wedding stuff, honeymoon, race support & now staycation time!  Here’s a potpurri of some things that have been going through my mind to share with you all:

Wedding Stuff:

The big day went great, and I’m so grateful for all of the love and support shown by our friends and family throughout the wedding weekend (and months leading up to it)! A few links to share with you:

Workouts:

  • Pre-wedding, I got in ~ 3 runs that week, one of which was a 9 miler by surprise! I just kept running and running, and didn’t need to get back for anything.  I wish I had taken some Gu or ShotBlocks though. 
  • During this almost 10-miler, I composed a blog post in my head, and meant to write it out sometime less than 2 weeks before that run.  The post would have been titled “I’m ready for professional running.” It was such a beautiful day out, the sun was shining, and I was spontaneously on a long run when I’d initially planned for a quick 3 or 4 miler.  Bring it on, Kara. 
  • I did 3 runs in Tuscon (our honeymoon spot) and they were hard!  I figured out a few days in that there are a few key differences between CHicago & Tuscon:
    • Heat – 90 degrees v/s 50s that Chi-town had been getting,
    • Hills – my workouts were on trail or road that happened to be situated on hills, oops I mean the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains,
    • Elevation – Tuscon is situated at ~2000 ft elevation, compared to our 579 ft. While Tuscon’s not the highest spot in the US, I have been known to experience issues at elevation and this trip seemed no different. I feel “off” for a few days, feel pretty bad around day 4, and then great from 5-6 onward. (Oh wait, the honeymoon was 6 days long)
  • I’ve gone to some yoga classes – 3 so far, but there’s potentially time for some more! We’ll see! I did think I’d be ready for Yoga Teacher Training after these two weeks tho.

Honeymoon / Staycation:

  • Honeymoon was in Tuscon AZ – if you didn’t figure that out before.  We selected it as the new “hipster” honeymoon spot.
  • Mike also happened to compete in the US Paraduathlon National Championship Event.  They conveniently scheduled it during the honeymoon so we wouldn’t have to travel somewhere else.
  • We also enjoyed the pool at the resort we stayed at, and ate some really great Mexican, Tex-Mex, Native American & Contemporary American cuisines while we were there. 
  • Staycation has been going on before & after honeymoon. I’ve been catching up on rest, reading, completing errands that fell by the wayside when Hurricane Wedding arrived. I’ve also been able to work out most days during Staycation, and not feel like a crazy lady combining work/workout/extracurriculars/food/blogging all in a single day.
  • I have been enjoying cooking during the past few days – I made some Cheesy Quinoa Fritters yesterday, pasta & a peanut butter cake today. More meal prepping has been going on as well! 

Well, that’s all for now! Good night!

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Runner Photo Challenge: Memorabilia from your Favorite Race

Posted on April 23, 2012 by

I’ve been incommunicado this past weekend as I was busy with a little getting married!  I’m still decompressing from it all, but wanted to participate in this photo challenge! 

Maggie is hosting a Runner Photo Challenge. This week’s challenge: A picture of memorabilia (bib, shirt, medal, trophy, etc – can be just one thing or multiple things) from your favorite race. Include an explanation of why it’s your favorite race.

This is the medal and a “time card” from the 2010 Madison Mini Marathon.  This was the first of what has become one of my favorite races, one which I’ve done for two years in a row and signed up for again this year. 

I used to live in Madison, Wisconsin, and loved the idea of going back for memories and to race.  M & I did this race the second year it was held, and I was blown away by many aspects about the race:

  • Loved the “road  trip” to a familiar spot – it’s kind of like travel but we have our routine now for this Madison trip & pre-race activities.
  • I loved the nostalgia of running along many of my old running routes. I had run almost the entire race course at different points during the time I lived in Madison.
  • I happened to run really well on the Madison Mini course. I PR’ed this first year, and came close the 2nd year.
  • The medal is actually a bottle opener on the other side. That was a hidden feature we learned about actually during year two!
  • I love the post race festivities! You finish right near the UW Union Terrace, grab your food & water, stake out a spot at one of the iconic tables & seats to listen to music, grab a beer, and relax in the sun following your half marathon!

If anyone is going to be running this race this year, please let me know!  It’s one of my favorites and I’m so happy to share & meet up with you!

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

Posted on April 18, 2012 by

Always Believe.

(source)

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Short Run

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

Tonight I did a short run. Short runs are great because:

  • They take less time
  • Shorter people do them better Smile
  • You can get errands in
  • You’ll get the cardio burst as well as shaking out your legs
  • You don’t have to worry about ‘when’ – you just go!

I think I often make a big deal about when I’m going to run – even though my average run length is 4 miles. I get it done in 45 minutes, however I fret about ‘when.’ “I have to have enough energy.” “I’ll have to shower afterward.” “I have somewhere to be.” I have a lot of excuses!

Hopefully the short run – mine was 1.68 miles and included a stop at CVS for some toothpaste – will become a little more frequent, or at least the option when I otherwise want to skip a run.

Today was my last day at work for a few weeks – it’s wedding time!  I’ve got some wedding prep days, and then the big day is Saturday! Some key memories from this weekend and week:

  • Going out to a wine bar for one of the last nights as a single lady
  • Prepping welcome bags with my future mother-in-law
  • Bridal shower at work today (I wore my boss’ veil from her wedding 10 years ago! Tossed a bouquet!)
  • Picking out plants at the garden store (odd & not completely wedding-related, but something I really enjoy)
  • Well wishes from so many people!

And a fun photo that’s wedding-related – can you guess what it is and where it’ll show up at the wedding? 

bike photo

Posted in Training | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Demons

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

I was battling my demons yesterday at my computrainer class. Once my first setback occurred (in the 2nd of twenty intervals), things just kept popping in my head:

  • they’ll all be hard
  • why keep going
  • you’re not doing well at work or running either
  • you have so much going on, that’s why you’re not doing this workout well
  • just pick a lower number (threshold – the benchmark that the computrainer workout is measured against)
  • you’re cramping -> you ate too much junk food today.
  • you can’t concentrate on anything; you don’t go to yoga enough to meditate while cycling

Too scary to be big in the blog. (Source)

What I’d like to do instead – next time these demons come out to play:

  • remember the meditation principles: I’m focused just on the interval we’re doing right now
  • Start keeping track of nutrition & cycling workouts. This was the 2nd time that I’ve had cramping/not digestive fun while cycling.
  • Inject the ‘om’ back into my life.  Really, where did my yoga go?
  • Try to get in some easier cycling workouts. Maybe another one on some weeks. That may help with my overall confidence on the bike.
  • Think about the mental training needed to go hard.  Are there things I should be doing to strengthen mentally?
  • there’s a reason why these workouts are hard. You’re paying for a professional to train you!
  • Maybe I should look into when I schedule these workouts. Maybe it needs to be after a rest day.

What do you do when your demons come out to play?  Any tips to share? 

Posted in Training | 6 Comments